Biomedical subjects

H Kurihara

Publications and source records attributed to H Kurihara.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Ligand-of-Numb protein X is an endocytic scaffold for junctional adhesion molecule 4.

Junctional adhesion molecule 4 (JAM4) is a cell adhesion molecule that interacts with a tight junction protein, membrane-associated guanylate kinase inverted 1 (MAGI-1). Our previous studies suggest that JAM4 is implicated in the regulation of paracellular permeability and the signalings of hepatocyte growth factor. In this study, we performed yeast two-hybrid screening to search for an unidentified JAM4-binding protein and obtained one isoform of Ligand-of-Numb protein X1 (LNX1), LNXp70, that is an interactor of Numb. Ligand-of-Numb protein X1 is expressed in kidney glomeruli and intestinal epithelial cells, where JAM4 is also detected. Immunoprecipitation from kidney lysates supports the in vivo interaction of proteins. Biochemical studies reveal that JAM4 directly binds the second PDZ domain of LNX1 through its carboxyl terminus. Junctional adhesion molecule 4, LNX1 and Numb form a tripartite complex in vitro and are partially colocalized in heterologous cells. Ligand-of-Numb protein X1 facilitates endocytosis of JAM4 and is involved in transforming growth factor beta -induced redistribution of JAM4 in mammary epithelial cells. Experiments using dominant-negative constructs and RNA interference insure that Numb is necessary for the LNX1-mediated endocytosis of JAM4. All these findings indicate that LNX1 provides an endocytic scaffold for JAM4 that is implicated in the reorganization of cell junctions.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

beta-Glucosidase inhibitory activities of phenylpropanoid glycosides, vanicoside A and B from Polygonum sachalinense rhizome.

The phenylpropanoid glycosides, vanicoside A and B, isolated from rhizomes of giant knotweed (Polygonum sachalinense) showed beta-glucosidase inhibitory activity, with IC(50) values of 59.8 and 48.3 mug/ml (59.9 and 50.5 muM), respectively. In contrast, p-coumaric acid and ferulic acid, corresponding to phenylpropanoyl moieties of vanicosides, exhibited very little inhibition.

Cinnamates↗

PubMed2006

An in vitro evaluation of the adhesion of Candida species to oral and lung tissue cells.

The analysis of the adherence capacity of fungi to surfaces of both oral tissue and different tissues would be of interest in the fungal dissemination as an oral and systemic pathogen. We developed an in vitro adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-based assay technique to extract the cellular and fungal ATP separately, which allowed the quantitative evaluation of the adhesion of the yeast to monolayers of human gingival epithelial cells (GEC), gingival fibroblasts (GF) and pulmonary fibroblasts (PF). Seven oral isolates of Candida species (three of Candida albicans, three of Candida tropicalis and one of Candida glabrata) were used in the study. The adherent level of the Candida species varied depending on both the isolates and the cell origins, although all the Candida isolates had a significantly higher level of adherence to GEC than to GF except the single isolate of C. tropicalis. Whereas the adherent level of the five isolates to GEC was significantly higher than that to PF, the adherent level of the remaining two isolates of C. tropicalis to GEC was significantly lower than that to PF. These results suggest that candidal adherence to host tissue cells should be regulated in an isolate-dependent and cell-origin-dependent manner, and that the phenomena may be involved in the colonisation and/or dissemination of the fungi.

Candida↗

PubMed2006

Nuclear transfer reprogramming does not improve the low developmental potency of embryonic stem cells induced by long-term culture.

Epigenetic states of embryonic stem (ES) cells are easily altered by long-term cultivation and lose their developmental potential. To rescue this reduced developmental capacity, nuclear transfer (NT) of ES cells was carried out, and original ES and ES cells from cloned blastocysts (ntES) cells established after NT were compared with in vitro differentiation ability and developmental potential by embryoid body formation and tetraploid aggregation respectively. In the establishment of ntES cell lines, the oocytes fused with the ES cell were activated, and further cultured to cloned blastocysts. When in vitro differentiation ability was examined between original and ntES cell lines derived from ES cells with extensive passages (ES-ep), the day of appearance of simple embryoid body, cystic embryoid body, and spontaneous beating was almost similar. The developmental rates of ES-ep cells, that aggregated with tetraploid embryos to term, ranged from 3 to 6%. Moreover, the majority of live pups died soon after birth. In the ntES cell lines derived from ES-ep cells, developmental rates ranged from 0 to 5%. Those pups also died soon after birth, similar to the ES-ep-derived pups. These results suggest that profound epigenetic modifications of ES cells were retained in the re-established cell lines by NT.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

[Operative treatment of Graves' disease: supersubtotal resection of the thyroid gland].

The article is devoted to an actual problem - decision on the volume of resection of the thyroid gland in patients with diffuse toxic goiter. On the basis of an analysis of long-tern results of surgical treatment of 604 patients preference is given to supersubtotal thyroidectomy with 2 g of the thyroid tissue left after surgery since it prevents the development of recurrent thyrotoxicosis as well as of a severe hypothyrosis even with a not regular taking levothyroxin. It was found that in children and adolescents the risk of the development of thyrotoxicosis is higher than in adults. The details of surgical operations responsible for preservation of the recurrent nerves and parathyroid glands are considered.

Graves Disease↗

PubMed2005

Characteristics of periodontal ligament subpopulations obtained by sequential enzymatic digestion of rat molar periodontal ligament.

Periodontal ligament (PDL) consists of different cell populations in various differentiation stages. In the present study, we isolated cell populations from rat molar PDL by sequential enzymatic digestion and characterized growth potential and mineralization activity of the PDL subpopulations (PDL-SP) to throw light on the mechanism of PDL remodeling and, in its turn, periodontal tissue regeneration. PDL attached to extracted rat molars was digested 2 mg/ml collagenase and 0.25% trypsin at 37 degrees C for 30 min. Then four consecutive digestions were performed for 20 min each in a fresh digestive solution. The solutions were centrifuged to collect released cells and 5 PDL subpopulations (30M-, 50M-, 70M-, 90M-and 110M-PDL-SP) were obtained. Light microscopic observation showed that about a half of PDL in width attached on the root surface of extracted teeth and 30M-PDL-SP was considered to contain cells mainly from middle portion of PDL. Scanning electron microscopic examination indicated that 110M-PDL-SP was enriched by root lining cementoblastic cells. 30M-PDL-SP showed a high level of proliferative activity. Although the growth potential of a subpopulation decreased in PDL-SP toward the root surface, 110M-PDL-SP had a high proliferative activity equivalent to that of 30M-PDL-SP. Analyses of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and mineralization activities showed that higher activities in PDL-SP toward the surface of roots and that 110M-PDL-SP had the highest activity of ALP and the largest number of mineralization nodules. The present study shows as supposed by previous studies on cell kinetics in PDL that subpopulations with larger growth potential were generally located in the middle portion of PDL and those with higher mineralization activities toward the surface of the roots. It is suggested, however, that a possible pathway of PDL cell turnover may exist within the PDL-SP on the root surface in addition to the generally recognized pathway from the middle area of PDL to root surface.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗

PubMed2005

Serum concentrations of resistin-like molecules beta and gamma are elevated in high-fat-fed and obese db/db mice, with increased production in the intestinal tract and bone marrow.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Resistin and the resistin-like molecules (RELMs) comprise a novel class of cysteine-rich proteins. Among the RELMs, RELMbeta and RELMgamma are produced in non-adipocyte tissues, but the regulation of their expression and their physiological roles are largely unknown. We investigated in mice the tissue distribution and dimer formation of RELMbeta and RELMgamma and then examined whether their serum concentrations and tissue expression levels are related to insulin resistance. METHODS: Specific antibodies against RELMbeta and RELMgamma were generated. Dimer formation was examined using COS cells and the colon. RELMbeta and RELMgamma tissue localisation and expression levels were analysed by an RNase protection assay, immunoblotting and immunohistochemical study. Serum concentrations in high-fat-fed and db/db mice were also measured using the specific antibodies. RESULTS: The intestinal tract produces RELMbeta and RELMgamma, and colonic epithelial cells in particular express both RELMbeta and RELMgamma. In addition, RELMbeta and RELMgamma were shown to form a homodimer and a heterodimer with each other, in an overexpression system using cultured cells, and in mouse colon and serum. Serum RELMbeta and RELMgamma levels in high-fat-fed mice were markedly higher than those in mice fed normal chow. Serum RELMbeta and RELMgamma concentrations were also clearly higher in db/db mice than in lean littermates. Tissue expression levels revealed that elevated serum concentrations of RELMbeta and RELMgamma are attributable to increased production in the colon and bone marrow. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: RELMbeta and RELMgamma form homo/heterodimers, which are secreted into the circulation. Serum concentrations of RELMbeta and RELMgamma may be a novel intestinal-tract-mediating regulator of insulin sensitivity, possibly involved in insulin resistance induced by obesity and a high-fat diet.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

ADAMTS-1 is involved in normal follicular development, ovulatory process and organization of the medullary vascular network in the ovary.

To clarify the role of disintegrin-like and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin type I motifs-1 (ADAMTS-1) in ovarian function, we examined abnormalities in ovulatory processes, folliculogenesis and the vascular system of ADAMTS-1 null ovaries. First, when immature female mice were treated with pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG)/human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), the number of ovulated oocytes was markedly decreased in ADAMTS-1 null mice in comparison to ADAMTS-1 (+/-) controls. The proportion of anovulated follicles to total mature follicles was significantly higher in ADAMTS-1 null females when compared with controls. The numbers of growing follicles at each stage were counted. The number of follicles at type 5b (late preantral) and later stages was markedly reduced in ADAMTS-1 null mice, irrespective of gonadotropin treatment (no gonadotropins, PMSG alone or PMSG/hCG). These data demonstrate that impairment of ovarian function to ovulate oocytes in ADAMTS-1 null mice occurs at two different levels: in the development of growing follicles and ovulatory processes. Furthermore, ADAMTS-1 null ovaries included a number of unusual atretic follicles that showed no sign of oocyte degeneration but lost the surrounding granulosa cell layers and were considered to be derived from type 4 or 5a follicles. These results suggest that ADAMTS-1 is important for follicular development beyond the type 4 and/or 5a and for maintaining normal granulosa cell layers in follicles. Finally, the number of large blood vessels in the medullar zone was significantly decreased in ADAMTS-1 null mice ovaries, suggesting that ADAMTS-1 is also involved in the organization of the medullary vascular network.

ADAM Proteins↗

PubMed2004

Factors affecting clinical outcome of patients who undergo transcatheter arterial embolisation in splenic injury.

Transcatheter arterial embolisation (TAE) offers a less invasive approach to traditional laparotomy for the management of bleeding in the context of blunt splenic injury. This is a retrospective review study to identify clinical factors associated with clinical outcome of the patients who underwent this procedure. Of 65 patients with splenic injuries at our institution, 26 patients underwent TAE for management of bleeding. The following factors were assessed to determine their relationship to procedure outcomes: American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST) grade, complications, age, shock index, injury severity score (ISS), haemoglobin (Hb), haematocrit (Ht), prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), systolic blood pressure (BP), BP changes during TAE, blood transfused before TAE and timing of TAE. The overall good clinical outcome rate was 73.1% (19/26). Of the factors we assessed, absence of concomitant pelvic injury, higher Hb, higher Ht, higher BP, greater increases in BP during TAE and a decreased requirement for blood transfusions before TAE were associated with good clinical outcome of the patients who underwent TAE in splenic injury.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2003

Gliomatosis cerebri evaluated by 18Falpha-methyl tyrosine positron-emission tomography.

Gliomatosis cerebri is a rare condition in which an infiltrative glial neoplasm spreads through the brain with preservation of the underlying structure. CT and MRI show diffuse abnormal density or signal, without mass effect, and because these findings are nonspecific, it is difficult to make a definitive diagnosis. Our purpose was to assess the usefulness of a new tumour-detecting amino acid tracer for positron-emission tomography (PET), L-[3-(18)F] alpha-methyl tyrosine (FMT), in patients with gliomatosis cerebri. We performed FMT PET, fluorodeoxyglucose FDG PET and MRI eight patients with gliomatosis cerebri and six with non-neoplastic disease, whose MRI also showed diffuse high signal on T2-weighted images. Standardised uptake (SUV) of FMT and FDG in the area of gliomatosis was obtained and the tumour-to-normal cortex (T/N) ratio of this was compared. The tumours were shown on FMT PET as areas of increased uptake, except in one patient with severe intracranial hypertension. There were significant differences between the SUV of FMT and the T/N ratio of FMT in patients and in controls (both P<0.01), and between the T/N ratio of FMT and FDG in patients ( P<0.01). Increased uptake of FMT PET strongly suggests neoplasia. FMT PET is valuable for differentiating gliomatosis cerebri from non-neoplastic diseases showing similar diffuse high signal on T2-weighted images and little contrast enhancement.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Gastric cancer in young patients with no alarm symptoms: focus on delay in diagnosis, stage of neoplasm and survival.

BACKGROUND: The test and treat strategy for Helicobacter pylori infection has raised some concern since young gastric cancer patients may have no alarm symptoms. In this study the frequency of alarm symptoms was assessed in a series of young gastric cancer patients, as well as the impact of absence of alarm symptoms on delay in diagnosis and stage of gastric cancer at diagnosis and survival. METHODS: A retrospective study was carried out on 92 gastric cancer patients < or = 45 years of age identified from databases in four hospitals between January 1985 and December 2001. Characteristics analysed included duration and features of dyspeptic symptoms, presence of alarm symptoms, time interval from the onset of symptoms to diagnosis, pTNM stage and survival. RESULTS: Of the 92 patients, 54 (58.7%) presented uncomplicated dyspepsia and 38 (41.3%) alarm symptoms. In those with uncomplicated dyspepsia, epigastric pain was the most common complaint (64.1%) followed by vomiting (30.4%), heartburn and nausea. Weight loss was the most common alarm symptom (30.4%), followed by anorexia (10.9%), dysphagia or anaemia (7.6%). The mean delay from first symptoms to final diagnosis was 16.8 +/- 13.9 weeks in patients with alarm symptoms and 29.3 +/- 39.9 weeks in patients without alarm symptoms (P:ns). Patients without alarm symptoms showed significantly less aggressive gastric cancer compared to patients with alarm symptoms in relation to TNM stage and survival (cumulative 5-year survival rate: 76% versus 49% P: 0.01). The survival rate, at 5 years, of patients without alarm symptoms, and with a history of dyspepsia of more than 24 weeks, was higher than that in patients with early diagnosis (93.4% versus 66.5%: P: 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: A large proportion of young gastric cancer patients present without alarm symptoms. Despite the delay in diagnosis, these patients have a better outcome than those with alarm symptoms. Thus the delay in diagnosis of patients without alarm symptoms does not affect survival.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

[Expression of p27 and proliferative (MIB-1), mitotic (MI) and apoptotic indices in early-phase (EGF) gastric carcinoma. Results of a study by the Italian Gastric Cancer Research Group (IRGGC)].

AIMS: Since the Japanese Society for Gastroenterology and Endoscopy (JSGE) introduced the definition of Early Gastric Cancer (EGC), much more and deeper studies were done, which demonstrated that EGC was a more complex phase of the neoplastic disease with different morphologic characteristics, tightly linked to the prognosis. We evaluated the clinical impact of some prognostic factors, known being important in the advanced lesions, in a series of EGC patients with special reference to the clinicomorphological features. METHODS AND RESULTS: We analysed the mitotic (MI) and apoptotic (AI) indices and the immunohistochemical expression of p27 and MIB-1 in 83 EGC cases consecutively recruited in the hospitals of Forlì, Verona, Siena and Milan (IRGGC) in the period 1994-95. The classifications of JSGE, Lauren and Kodama were used to define the macroscopic, microscopic and growth pattern types, respectively. Decreased p27 expression correlated with the macroscopic escavated lesions and diffused mixed histotypes; the increase of MIB-1 detection with tumour size larger than 2 cm, but lesser than 4 cm; MI with intestinal histologic types and AI with mucosal and penetrating lesions, according to Kodama. Statistical analysis showed significative correlations among MIB-1, MI and AI, but not with p27 and the other variables. All these factors did not influence the prognosis of our patients. CONCLUSIONS: In our series, p27, MIB-1, MI, and AI did not add any useful clinical. So, in EGC patients the morphological features have still the most important role in influencing the prognosis and treatment of patients.

Apoptosis↗

PubMed2002

The new TNM classification of lymph node metastasis minimises stage migration problems in gastric cancer patients.

The present study aimed at investigating whether in gastric cancer patients stage migration occurs with extension of lymphadenectomy, when node metastases are staged according to the new pN classification (UICC 1997). The investigation involved 921 patients, who underwent R0 gastric resection for gastric cancer between 1988 and 1998 in three different Italian centres: Verona (n=236), Forlì (n=409), Siena (n=276). The relation among lymphadenectomy and pN category was assessed by Kendall's partial rank-order correlation coefficient, controlling for depth of tumour invasion. A direct evaluation of the Will Rogers phenomenon was accomplished in the Verona series, by comparing the number of positive nodes actually observed with the number of positive nodes which would have been retrieved by a less extended lymphadenectomy (D1). The number of positive nodes increased remarkably with the enlargement of lymphadenectomy, especially in pT2 patients (from 2.2+/-3.9 in D1 to 3.9+/-5.0 in D3) and in pT3/pT4 patients (from 5.1+/-5.9 in D1 to 11.3+/-12.6 in D3). Non-parametric statistics highlighted a weak (Kendall's partial T=0.128) but significant (P<0.001) correlation between pN category and extension of lymphadenectomy. In the direct analysis of the Verona series, 22 patients out of 230 (9.6%) migrated to a lower pN tier when ignoring positive nodes retrieved from the second and third level. This percentage increased to 39.1% (90 out of 230) when adopting the TNM 87 classification. In conclusion stage migration is of minor importance in gastric cancer patients, staged according to the new pN classification.

Adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed2002

Total endoscopic parathyroidectomy.

During the last five years, minimally invasive procedures have been adopted for the surgical treatment of hyperparathyroidism, because preoperative localization studies such as high-resolution ultrasonography and sestamibi scintigraphy, guidance by intraoperative scans, and the use of quick, intraoperative parathyroid hormone assay have improved. Endoscopic parathyroidectomy was performed by Gagner in 1996, and surgical procedures using endoscopy have been devised. The endoscopic procedures range from the "pure" endoscopic approach characterized by constant gas insufflation to video-assisted gasless techniques. We adopted the "pure" endoscopic approach, because a small incision can be made far from the neck and the cosmetic result is excellent. We report our technique with no scars in the neck region for endoscopic unilateral neck exploration with primary hyperparathyroidism and for endoscopic bilateral neck exploration with renal hyperparathyroidism.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Total endoscopic thyroidectomy: axillary or anterior chest approach.

We have developed endoscopic thyroidectomy by an anterior chest approach and an axillary approach. In this study, we evaluate the efficacy of these two types of endoscopic procedures and conventional open surgery. The degree of surgical invasiveness and the nature of patients' complaints after surgery were compared using the results of the operation and a questionnaire. The mean operating time for the endoscopic procedure was significantly longer than that for open surgery; however, there was no difference in postoperative pain in the three groups. Three months after surgery, the incidence of discomfort while swallowing in open surgery was higher than that in endoscopic surgery. All the patients who were treated using the axillary approach were satisfied with the cosmetic results. However, five patients (25%) who were treated using the anterior chest approach and 15 patients (75%; P < 0.01) who underwent open surgery complained abut the cosmetic results. The incidence of postoperative complaints after endoscopic surgery is significantly lower than that after open surgery. Patients who were treated using the axillary approach can obtain superior cosmetic results, compared with those who received other procedures.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Laparoscopic partial adrenalectomy.

Since corticosteroids are indispensable hormones, partial or cortical-sparing adrenalectomies may be adopted for the surgical treatment of adrenal diseases. In this article, we describe the technique and results of these procedures. Laparoscopic partial or cortical-sparing adrenalectomy has been performed in 10 patients. Seven cases had an aldosterone-producing adenoma (APA) and three had a pheochromocytoma. Three cases with an APA and a case with a pheochromocytoma had tumors located far from the adrenal central vein, and the vein could be preserved. Four cases with an APA and two with a pheochromocytoma had tumors located close to the adrenal central vein, and it was necessary to section the central vein to resect them. All endoscopic procedures were performed successfully. There were no postoperative complications. At follow-up, adrenal 131I-adosterol scintigrams showed the preservation of remnant adrenal function in all patients. Laparoscopic partial or cortical-sparing adrenal surgery was safely performed, and adrenal function was preserved irrespective of whether the adrenal central vein could be preserved or not. We consider this to be a useful operative technique for selected cases.

Adrenal Gland Neoplasms↗

PubMed2002

Magnetic resonance analysis of abnormal diaphragmatic motion in patients with emphysema.

The purpose of this study was to quantitatively evaluate paradoxical diaphragmatic motion using magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. A total of 27 subjects were examined, including 12 normal young adults, six control individuals, and nine patients with emphysema. With subjects in the supine position, 30 sequential sagittal MR images of the entire right lung were obtained during tidal and deep slow breathing. Diaphragmatic movement between sequential images was estimated as the displacement area and the total diaphragmatic movement in a respiratory cycle was calculated. The paradoxical motion of the diaphragm, representing the inverted movement to increase or decrease lung area, since paradoxical movement ratio (Mpr=(total paradoxical diaphragmatic movement/total diaphragmatic movement)x100), was evaluated. In patients with emphysema, paradoxical diaphragmatic motion was observed on MR images during deep breathing. The mean Mpr in emphysematous patients during deep breathing was 10+/-4%, which was significantly higher than 0.5+/-0.2% in young adults (p<0.05), and 1.2+/-0.6% in aged-matched controls (p<0.05). The present results indicate that magnetic resonance images could be used to detect paradoxical diaphragmatic motion in patients with emphysema.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Thrombectomy and SVC reconstruction due to infective thrombus.

We report a case of thrombectomy and reconstruction of superior vena cava (SVC) in a patient presenting sepsis and SVC syndrome by infective thrombus. A 58-year-old woman presented sepsis and edema of the neck and left upper extremity during treatment of multiple organ failure. Sepsis by Serratia persisted in spite of appropriate antibiotic treatment. Computed tomography of the chest revealed thrombi that narrowed the SVC with obstruction of the left brachiocephalic vein. Removal of the infective thrombi followed by SVC reconstruction with autologous pericardial patch was performed. Postoperative period remained uneventful.

Female↗